Synthesis and Promising Properties of a New Family of High‐Nitrogen Compounds: Polyazido‐ and Polyamino‐Substituted N,N′‐Azo‐1,2,4‐triazoles

A new family of high‐nitrogen compounds, that is, polyazido‐ and polyamino‐substituted N,N′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazoles, were synthesized in a safe and convenient manner and fully characterized. The structures of 3,3′,5,5′‐tetra(azido)‐4,4′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 15 ) and 3,3′,5,5′‐tetra(amino)‐4,4′‐azo‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 23 ) were also confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to determine their thermal stability. Their heats of formation and density, which were calculated by using Gaussian 03, were used to determine the detonation performances of the related compounds (EXPLO 5.05). The heats of formation of the polyazido compounds were also derived by using an additive method. Compound 15 has the highest heat of formation (6933 kJ kg^?1) reported so far for energetic compounds and a detonation performance that is comparable to that of octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX), while compound 23 has a decomposition temperature of up to 290 °C.     

Synthesis of Thermally Stable Energetic 1,2,3‐Triazole Derivatives

Various thermally stable energetic polynitro‐aryl‐1,2,3‐triazoles have been synthesized through Cu‐catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reactions between their corresponding azides and alkynes, followed by nitration. These compounds were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods and the solid‐state structures of most of these compounds have been determined by using X‐ray diffraction techniques. Most of the polynitro‐bearing triazole derivatives decomposed within the range 142–319 °C and their heats of formation and crystal densities were determined from computational studies. By using the Kamlet–Jacobs empirical relation, their detonation velocities and pressures were calculated from their heats of formation and crystal densities. Most of these newly synthesized compounds exhibited high positive heats of formation, good thermal stabilities, reasonable densities, and acceptable detonation properties that were comparable to those of TNT.     

Hydrazinium Nitriminotetrazolates

Hydrazinium 5‐nitrimino‐1H‐tetrazolate ( 1 ) and dihydrazinium nitriminotetrazolate monohydrate ( 2 ) were synthesized by the reaction of hydrazine with 5‐nitriminotetrazole. The energetic compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (only 2 ), NMR spectroscopy, IR‐ and Raman spectroscopy as well as DSC measurements. The sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrical discharge were determined. In addition, several detonation parameters (e.g. heat of explosion, detonation velocity) were computed by the EXPLO5 computer code based on calculated (CBS‐4M) heats of formation and X‐ray densities.     

N‐Diazo‐Bridged Nitroazoles: Catenated Nitrogen‐Atom Chains Compatible with Nitro Functionalities

N‐diazo‐bridged azoles were synthesized based on oxidative coupling of N‐aminoazoles. Incorporation of extended catenated nitrogen‐atom chains with nitro groups led to compounds with favorable functional compatibilities. This combination gives rise to a series of high‐density energetic materials (HEDMs) with high heats of formation, enhanced densities, positive oxygen balances, and good detonation properties while retaining excellent thermal stabilities and relatively low impact sensitivities. Calculated and experimental studies showed the delicate balance between the length of the nitrogen atom chain, energetic performance, and inherent stability, thus, providing a promising strategy for designing advanced energetic materials.     

Polynitro Containing Energetic Materials based on Carbonyldiisocyanate and 2, 2‐Dinitropropane‐1, 3‐diol

New polynitro compounds containing a carbonyl biscarbamate moiety derived from the precursor carbonyldiisocyanate were synthesized. In addition, 2, 2‐dinitropropane‐1, 3‐diyl bis(2, 2,2‐trinitroethylcarbamate) and 2, 2‐dinitropropane‐1, 3‐diyl bis(2, 2,2‐trinitroethyl) dicarbonate, were synthesized using 2, 2‐dinitropropane‐1, 3‐diol as starting material. The compounds were characterized by using the analytical methods, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman), multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. The thermal behavior was investigated with DSC measurements. The suitability of the compounds as potential oxidizers in energetic formulations was determined. The heats of formation of the compounds were calculated with GAUSSIAN 09. The detonation parameters such as the detonation pressure, velocity, energy, and temperature were computed using the EXPLO5 code. For a secure handling of the materials, the sensitivity towards impact, friction, and electrical discharge was tested using the BAM drop hammer, BAM friction tester as well as a small‐scale electrical discharge device, respectively.     

Nitroguanidine‐Fused Bicyclic Guanidinium Salts: A Family of High‐Density Energetic Materials

A series of nitroguanidine‐fused bicyclic guanidinium energetic salts paired with inorganic energetic anions, mono‐ and di‐tetrazolate anions were synthesized through simple metathesis reactions of 2‐iminium‐5‐nitriminooctahydroimidazo[4,5‐d]imidazole chloride and sulfate with the corresponding silver and barium salts, respectively, in aqueous solution. Key physical properties, such as melting point, thermal stability, and density were measured. The relationship between the structures of the salts and these properties was determined. The salts exhibit thermal stability and density (>1.60 g cm^?3) that are comparable to currently used explosives The structures of the nitrate salt 1 and the dinitrocyanomethanide salt 4 were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Densities, heats of formation, detonation pressures and velocities, and specific impulses were calculated. All of the salts possess positive calculated heats of formation and most of them exhibit promising energetic performance that is comparable with those of 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene (TNT), 1,3,5‐triamino‐2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene (TATB), and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX). The effect of the fused bicycle 2‐iminium‐5‐nitriminooctahydroimidazo[4,5‐d]imidazole on these physicochemical properties was examined and discussed.     

Energetic N‐Trinitroethyl‐Substituted Mono‐, Di‐, and Triaminotetrazoles

A series of dense energetic N‐trinitroethyl‐substituted mono‐, bis‐, and tri‐5‐aminotetrazoles were obtained by reacting primary amines with in situ generated cyanogen azide, followed by the trinitroethyl functionalization that involves a condensation of a hydroxymethyl intermediate (prepared by a reaction with formaldehyde) with trinitromethane. These compounds were fully characterized by using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and, in one case with 9 , with single‐crystal XRD analysis. The heats of formation for all compounds were calculated with Gaussian 03 and then combined with experimental densities to determine the detonation pressures (P) and velocities (D_v) of the energetic materials. Interestingly, most of them exhibited high density, good thermal stability, acceptable oxygen balance, positive heat of formation, low impact sensitivity, and excellent detonation properties, which highlighted their practical application potentials as a fascinating class of highly energetic materials.     

Design of Energetic Materials Based on Asymmetric Oxadiazole

A new family of asymmetric oxadiazole based energetic compounds were designed. Their electronic structures, heats of formation, detonation properties and stabilities were investigated by density functional theory. The results show that all the designed compounds have high positive heats of formation ranging from 115.4 to 2122.2 kJ mol⁻¹. −N− bridge/−N₃ groups played an important role in improving heats of formation while −O− bridge/−NF₂ group made more contributions to the densities of the designed compounds. Detonation properties show that some compounds have equal or higher detonation velocities than RDX, while some other have higher detonation pressures than RDX. All the designed compounds have better impact sensitivities than those of RDX and HMX and meet the criterion of thermal stability. Finally, some of the compounds were screened as the candidates of high energy density compounds with superior detonation properties and stabilities to that of HMX and their electronic properties were investigated.     

Furazans with Azo Linkages: Stable CHNO Energetic Materials with High Densities,Highly Energetic Performance,and Low Impact and Friction Sensitivities

Various highly energetic azofurazan derivatives were synthesized by simple and efficient chemical routes. These nitrogen‐rich materials were fully characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Four of them were further confirmed structurally by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. These compounds exhibit high densities, ranging from 1.62 g cm^?3 up to a remarkably high 2.12 g cm^?3 for nitramine‐substituted azofurazan DDAzF ( 2 ), which is the highest yet reported for an azofurazan‐based CHNO energetic compound and is a consequence of the formation of strong intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding networks. From the heats of formation, calculated with Gaussian 09, and the experimentally determined densities, the energetic performances (detonation pressure and velocities) of the materials were ascertained with EXPLO5 v6.02. The results suggest that azofurazan derivatives exhibit excellent detonation properties (detonation pressures of 21.8–46.1 GPa and detonation velocities of 6602–10 114 m s^?1) and relatively low impact and friction sensitivities (6.0–80 J and 80–360 N, respectively). In particular, they have low electrostatic spark sensitivities (0.13–1.05 J). These properties, together with their high nitrogen contents, make them potential candidates as mechanically insensitive energetic materials with high‐explosive performance.     

Synthesis and promising properties of a new family of high-density energetic salts of 5-nitro-3-trinitromethyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole and 5,5'-bis(trinitromethyl)-3,3'-azo-1H-1,2,4-triazole

Salts of trinitromethyl-substituted triazoles, 5-nitro-3-trinitromethyl-1H-1,2,4-triazole and 5,5'-bis(trinitromethyl)-3,3'-azo-1H-1,2,4-triazole (5), form a new class of highly dense energetic materials. Single-crystal X-ray structuring supports the formation of the cocrystal of 5 with 3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole, which was found to be remarkably less impact-sensitive than the azo precursor. The compounds were fully characterized using IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Based on heats of formation calculated with Gaussian 03 and combined with experimentally determined densities, detonation properties of the energetic materials obtained with the EXPLO5 program identify them as potentially explosive compounds. They exhibit high density, moderate to good thermal stability, acceptable oxygen balance, reasonable heat of formation, and excellent detonation properties, which in some cases are superior to those of 1,3,5,-trinitrotriazacyclohexane (RDX).     

Novel Highly Energetic Pyrazoles: N‐Trinitromethyl‐Substituted Nitropyrazoles

A new family of energetic compounds, nitropyrazoles bearing a trinitromethyl moiety at the nitrogen atom of the heterocycle, was designed. The desirable high‐energy dense oxidizers 3,4‐dinitro‐ and 3,5‐dinitro‐1‐(trinitromethyl)pyrazoles were synthesized in good yields by destructive nitration of the corresponding 1‐acetonylpyrazoles. All of the prepared compounds were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopy, as well as by elemental analysis. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies show remarkably high density. Impact sensitivity tests and thermal stability measurements were also performed. All of the pyrazoles possess positive calculated heats of formation and exhibit promising energetic performance that is the range of 1,3,5‐trinitroperhydro‐1,3,5‐triazine and pentaerythritol tetranitrate. The new pyrazoles exhibit positive oxygen balance and are promising candidates for new environmentally benign energetic materials.     

Insensitive Nitrogen‐Rich Materials Incorporating the Nitroguanidyl Functionality

A new class of nitroguanidyl‐functionalized nitrogen‐rich materials derived from 1,3,5‐triazine and 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine was synthesized through reactions between N‐nitroso‐N′‐alkylguanidines and the hydrazine derivatives of 1,3,5‐triazine or 1,2,4,5‐tetrazine. These compounds were fully characterized using multinuclear NMR and IR spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The heats of formation for all compounds were calculated with Gaussian 03 and then combined with experimental densities to determine the detonation pressures (P) and velocities (D_v) of the energetic materials. Interestingly, some of the compounds exhibit an energetic performance (P and D_v) comparable to that of RDX, thus holding promise for application as energetic materials.     

Synthesis of 5‐Aminotetrazole‐1 N‐oxide and Its Azo Derivative: A Key Step in the Development of New Energetic Materials

1‐Hydroxy‐5‐aminotetrazole ( 1 ), which is a long‐desired starting material for the synthesis of hundreds of new energetic materials, was synthesized for the first time by the reaction of aqueous hydroxylamine with cyanogen azide. The use of this unique precursor was demonstrated by the preparation of several energetic compounds with equal or higher performance than that of commonly used explosives, such as hexogen (RDX). The prepared compounds, including energetic salts of 1‐hydroxy‐5‐aminotetrazole (hydroxylammonium ( 2 , two polymorphs) and ammonium ( 3 )), azo‐coupled derivatives (potassium ( 5 ), hydroxylammonium ( 6 ), ammonium ( 7 ), and hydrazinium 5,5′‐azo‐bis(1‐N‐oxidotetrazolate ( 8 , two polymorphs)), as well as neutral compounds 5,5′‐azo‐bis(1‐oxidotetrazole) ( 4 ) and 5,5′‐bis(1‐oxidotetrazole)hydrazine ( 9 ), were intensively characterized by low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction, IR, Raman, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and DSC. The calculated energetic performance, by using the EXPLO5 code, based on the calculated (CBS‐4M) heats of formation and X‐ray densities confirm the high energetic performance of tetrazole‐N‐oxides as energetic materials. Last but not least, their sensitivity towards impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge were explored. 5,5′‐Azo‐bis(1‐N‐oxidotetrazole) deflagrates close to the DDT (deflagration‐to‐detonation transition) faster than all compounds that have been investigated in our research group to date.     

Triazole‐Substituted Nitroarene Derivatives: Synthesis,Characterization, and Energetic Studies

A series of dense and energetic polynitroaryl‐1,2,4‐triazoles were synthesized through the nitration of aryl‐1,2,4‐triazoles. The Cu‐catalyzed/base‐mediated coupling reactions of haloarenes with 1,2,4‐triazoles delivered N‐aryl‐1,2,4‐triazoles. These new nitro‐rich‐aryltriazoles were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. The solid‐state structures of most of these compounds were established by X‐ray diffraction analysis. Their thermal properties were determined by differential scanning calorimetry–thermogravimetric analysis. Their heats of formation (HOFs) and crystal densities were also calculated. The densities of the synthesized compounds ranged from 1.40 to 1.85 g cm^?3. Some of these newly synthesized compounds exhibited high positive HOFs, good thermal stabilities, high densities, and reasonable detonation velocities and pressures.     

Comparative theoretical studies of energetic azo s-triazines

In this work, the properties of the synthesized high-nitrogen compounds 4,4',6,6'-tetra(azido)azo-1,3,5-triazine (TAAT) and 4,4',6,6'-tetra(azido)hydrazo-1,3,5-triazine (TAHT), and a set of designed bridged triazines with similar bridges were studied theoretically to facilitate further developments for the molecules of interests. The gas-phase heats of formation were predicted based on the isodesmic reactions by using the DFT-B3LYP/AUG-cc-PVDZ method. The estimates of the condensed-phase heats of formation and heats of sublimation were estimated in the framework of the Politzer approach. Calculation results show that the method gives a good estimation for enthalpies, in comparison with available experimental data for TAAT and TAHT. The crystal density has been computed using molecular packing calculations. The calculated detonation velocities and detonation pressures indicate that -NF(2), -NO(2), -N═N-, and -N═N(O)- groups are effective structural units for improving the detonation performance of the bridged triazines. The synthesized TAAT and TAHT are not preferred energetic materials due to their inferior detonation performance. The p→π conjugation effect between the triazine rings and bridges makes the molecule stable as a whole. The electrostatic behavior of the bridged triazines is characterized by an anomalous surface potential imbalance when incorporating the strongly electron-withdrawing -NF(2) and -NO(2) groups into the molecule. An analysis of the bond dissociation energies shows that all these derivatives have good thermal stability over RDX and HMX, and the -NH-NH- bridge is more helpful for improving the stability than -N═N(O)- and -N═N- bridges. Considering the detonation performance and thermal stability, three bridged triazines may be considered as the potential candidates of high-energy density materials (HEDMs).     

Trinitromethyl-substituted 5-nitro- or 3-azo-1,2,4-triazoles: synthesis, characterization, and energetic properties

Various new polynitro-1,2,4-triazoles containing a trinitromethyl group were synthesized by straightforward routes. These high nitrogen and oxygen-rich compounds were fully characterized using IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, natural bonding orbital (NBO) analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and, in the case of 12, with single crystal X-ray structuring. The heats of formation for all compounds were calculated with Gaussian 03 (revision D.01) and then combined with experimentally determined densities to determine detonation pressures (P) and velocities (D) of the energetic materials (Cheetah 5.0). They exhibit high density, good thermal stability, acceptable oxygen balance, positive heat of formation, and excellent detonation properties, which, in some cases, are superior to those of TNT, RDX, and HMX.     

Theoretical investigation on the structures,densities, and detonation properties of polynitrotetraazaoctahydroanthracenes

The polynitrotetraazaoctahydroanthracenes were optimized to obtain their molecular geometries and electronic structures at density functional theory–B3LYP/6‐31+G(d) level. Detonation velocities (D) and detonation pressures (P) were estimated for this nitramine compounds using Kamlet‐Jacobs equations, based on the theoretical densities (ρ) and heats of formation. It is found that there are good linear relationships between volume, density, detonation velocity, detonation pressure and the number of nitro group. Thermal stability of the compounds was investigated by calculating the bond dissociation energies and energy gap (ΔE_LUMO–HOMO). The simulation results reveal that molecule H performs similarly to famous explosive RDX. These results provide basic information for molecular design of novel high energetic density compounds. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A Study of 5‐(1,2,4‐Triazol‐C‐yl)tetrazol‐1‐ols: Combining the Benefits of Different Heterocycles for the Design of Energetic Materials

The synthesis and full structural and spectroscopic characterization of three 5‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐C‐yl)tetrazol‐1‐ol compounds with selected energetic moieties including nitrimino ( 5 ), nitro ( 6 ) and azido ( 7 ) groups are reported. The influence of those energetic moieties as well as the C? C connection of a tetrazol‐1‐ol and a 1,2,4‐triazole on structural and energetic properties has been investigated. All compounds were well characterized by various means, including IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and DSC. The molecular structures of 5 – 8 were determined in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The standard heats of formation were calculated on the CBS‐4M level of theory utilizing the atomization energy method, revealing highly positive values for all compounds. The detonation parameters were calculated with the EXPLO5 program and compared to the common secondary explosive RDX. Additionally, sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrostatic discharge were determined.     

Energetic Derivatives of 4, 4′,5, 5′‐Tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazole (TNBI)

4, 4′,5, 5′‐Tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazole (TNBI) was synthesized by nitration of bisimidazole (BI) and recrystallized from acetone to form a crystalline acetone adduct. Its ammonium salt ( 1 ) was obtained by the reaction with gaseous ammonia. In order to explore new explosives or propellants several energetic nitrogen‐rich 2:1 salts such as the hydroxylammonium ( 3 ), guanidinium ( 4 ), aminoguanidinium ( 5 ), diaminoguanidinium ( 6 ) and triaminoguanidinium 7 4, 4′,5, 5′‐tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazolate were prepared by facile metathesis reactions. In addition, methylated 1, 1′‐dimethyl‐4, 4′,5, 5′‐tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazole (Me₂TNBI, 8 ) was synthesized by the reaction of 2 and dimethyl sulfate. Metal salts of TNBI can also be easily synthesized by using the corresponding metal bases. This was proven by the synthesis of pyrotechnically relevant dipotassium 4, 4′,5, 5′‐tetranitro‐2, 2′‐bisimidazolate ( 2 ), which is a brilliant burning component e.g. in near‐infrared flares. All compounds were characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, elemental analysis and DSC. The sensitivities were determined by BAM methods (drophammer and friction tester). The heats of formation were calculated using CBS‐4M electronic enthalpies and the atomization method. With these values and mostly the X‐ray densities different detonation parameters were computed by the EXPLO5 computer code. Due to the great thermal stability and calculated energetic properties, especially guanidinium salt 4 could be served as a HNS replacement.     

Nitroxy/Azido‐Functionalized Triazoles as Potential Energetic Plasticizers

The synthesis of a series of nitroxy‐ and azido‐functionalized compounds, based on 4‐amino‐3,5‐di(hydroxymethyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole, for possible use as an energetic plasticizers is described. All compounds were fully characterized. Two of them were further confirmed by X‐ray single crystal diffraction. Energetic performance was calculated by using EXPLO5 v6.01 based on calculated heats of formation (Gaussian 03) and experimentally determined densities at 25 °C. The results show that the nitration product 1‐nitro‐3,5‐di(nitroxymethyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole, containing a nitro group and two nitroxy groups, exhibits good detonation properties (D=8574 m s^?1, P=32.7 GPa). In addition, its low melting point makes it very attractive as an energetic plasticizer in solid propellants.